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SUSTAINABLE TOURISM IN THE PHILIPPINES

Tinago Falls; A Modernize Tourist Destination

White, Gadfrey Jahn P,

Department of Tourism Management, STI Iligan College

SUSTAINABLE TOURISM – SY2324-1T

Maria Ampiloquoi

October 1, 2023
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Introduction

As resident of Maria Cristina Purok 32 zone 12 Iligan City Tinago Falls is

near and only requires on ride and sometimes we just walk to go to Tinago Falls. I

choose this location because I grew up witnessing the Tinago falls improvements

throughout the years, and I know the place’s perks. Due to the reason that I

reside near Tinago Falls I have visited a couple of times and notice the activities

that is made in the area or close to it also a have notice the ways they handled

tourist under different management from the previous management which are

the locals (Lumad) or mostly by their family name Veray to the current

management the LGU. I have also witnessed the ways the look at the place in

cleaning and maintaining it and how they consider things before making an

improvement to the place and because of that I have foreseen some actions to

be done and things to be established for the place improvements and

progression.
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Background of the Area

Tinago Falls is in a deep ravine in Barangay Ditucalan, Iligan City.

The falls plunges 240 feet (73m) high from a cliff. Tinago Falls is a waterfall on the

Agus River, located in between the town of Linamon and Iligan City,

Lanao del Norte in the northern part of the Philippine Island of Mindanao.

It is one of the main tourist attractions of Iligan, a city known as the City of Majestic

Waterfalls. Tinago is a Filipino term meaning "hidden", the falls being hidden in a deep

ravine. Trekking to the falls requires approximately 500 descending steps called the

winding staircase. The falls is high, it’s very cold waters cascading beautifully into a deep

and calm basin-like pool which appears like a blue-colored lagoon. Under the falls is a

small cave where people can enter and listen to the rumbling waters.
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Environmental activities that provide meaningful experience to tourists

One of the environmental activities you may experience while visiting the

Majestic Tinago Falls is hiking. Hiking offers an environmentally friendly way for

tourists to explore the natural landscape and uniqueness of the enchanting

beauty of Tinago Falls, which offers a serene and unforgettable experience.

Furthermore, there were local guides in the area who also encouraged eco-

friendly practices while out on a hike going down to the area. To ensure

responsible travel practices while hiking, tourists are encouraged to carry a

reusable water bottle and pack snacks in eco-conscious materials such as

stainless steel, bioplastics, bamboo, and/or gelatin films. Garbage sorting is

another activity in which tourists should never dispose of any wrappers, napkins,

or other waste on trails. Sorting of garbage is encouraged in the area because

many items that are often put in the garbage are compostable foods that

decompose naturally into fertile soil. These are some of the activities that protect

the environment, provide economic benefits to local communities, and

guarantee an unforgettable trip for our tourists.

Regulations in keeping the are clean:

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They put signage and trash bins in every resting post of the stairway and in every cottage

also they assigned a person to check the area or roam the areas condition then they also

have the cottage maned so that after every use of the cottage it would be cleaned.
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Business within the Area

1. The destination itself Tinago falls – Payment transactions is needed to enter

the area like parking fee and entrance fee

2. Souvenir Stalls – sells stuffs that resemble or has the remarks of Tinago Falls

3. Food Stalls – Sells local goods such as banana-Q, soft drinks, water, and foods

and it is operated by the locals that reside near the area

4. Bamboo Raft – Riding the Bamboo Raft that would grant you access near the

waterfalls is a business because the bamboo raft operators ask for payment or

service fee, but it is negotiable.

5. Tour Guiding - Upon Entering Tinago Falls Tour guides would offer their

Service with a price of 200Php to accompany the tourist and give background

information of the place and help the tourist climb the cliffs and how to get on

the cliff
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Jobs Available on the Area

=>Tour Guiding – helps and give information to the tourist

=>Lugged Carrier – Caries the tourist belongings and stuffs

=>Casher – The one that is in charge in the front the desk and stores in the area

=>Safety officers – The persons who maintain peace and order an assures the

safety of the tourist.

=>Utility/ HKS staffs – The ones that are maintaining and looking for that area’s

cleanliness

=>Life guard – its duties is to keep look at the tourist that are enjoying the

refreshing cold waters of Tinago Falls and to give aid to tourist that are drowning

or struggling to swim and give 1st aid to the person that in hurt or injured.

=>Bamboo Raft Operators – this person are the ones who pull the raft so tourist

can go near/under the falls.

=>Cottage in charge - this person is in charge of cleaning the cottage after the

tourist leaves also this person is the one responsible for offering the most

suitable cottage for the tourist base on the number of the tourist and the tourist

purpose during the visit.

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My Suggestion to help educate Tourist about Tinago Falls

My tips towards the people that are planning to visit Tinago falls:

1. Bring your own water and food for the price of the products in the area in above the

normal price.

2. Observe cleanliness and always read the sign this could help you avoid fines

3. CLAYGO avoid using disposable materials as for it is not just bad for nature but also to

your health.

4. Be resourceful and only use the enough amount of resource that is need. To help

conserve and preserve the destination and its resources.

5. For those who has vehicle using a car pipe exhaust that emits less noise is a most for it

helps preserve and saves the animals that are residing on the destination to maintain

balance.

6. Lastly and optional prepare your stamina before going to Tinago falls for it has 500

descending steps that would sum up to a 1000 steps add the way back and it is also

advisable to check a person medical condition 1st before going to Tinago falls to avoid

further Hazard.
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REFERENCES

https://www.gdrc.org/uem/eco-tour/envi/one.html

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tinago_Falls